COLLECTION NAME:
The AMICA Library
Record
AMICA ID:
MMA_.41.82
AMICA Library Year:
2000
Object Type:
Decorative Arts and Utilitarian Objects
Creator Name:
Roentgen, David
Creator Role:
Maker
Creator Dates/Places:
1743-1807; master 1780
Creator Name-CRT:
David Roentgen
Title:
Cylinder-fall Desk with Cabinet Top
Title Type:
Object name
View:
Full View
Creation Date:
18th century (ca. 1776-78)
Creation Start Date:
1776
Creation End Date:
1778
Materials and Techniques:
Various woods, brass, bronze-gilt, mother-of-pearl
Classification Term:
Woodwork-Furniture
Dimensions:
H. 53 1/2 in. (135.9 cm), W. 43 1/2 in. (110.5 cm), D. 26 1/2 in. (67.3 cm)
AMICA Contributor:
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Owner Location:
New York, New York, USA
ID Number:
41.82
Credit Line:
Rogers Fund, 1941
Context:
This rolltop desk demonstrates the inventive talent of its maker. The chinoiserie marquetry scenes have a painterly effect that Roentgen alone attained, using minute pieces of naturally colored exotic woods. His mechanical ingenuity is exemplified by the workings of the lower section of the desk: when the key of the lower drawer is turned to the right, the side drawers spring open; if a button is pressed on the underside of these drawers, each swings aside to reveal three other drawers. Although Roentgen maintained his workshop at Neuwied, Germany, where this desk was made between 1776 and 1778, his French clientele became so important that he opened an outlet in Paris and joined the Parisian guild in 1780.
Related Image Identifier Link:
MMA_.es41.82.R.tif
Link To Source
